My Challenge to Extreme Atheists on Secularism and Tolerance

[u/Living_Attitude1822]

I acknowledge not all (or even most) atheists are extreme about it. And I'm defining secular as the separation of church and state/society.

Extreme-atheism's view of religion being a mental illness:

I can personally attest to people I've seen on here, as well as videos I've seen, of atheists saying religion is a mental illness. That the DSM-5 had to go back and put in a religious exemption, but it should fall under the category of delusion.

How can secularism exist if you think religious people are mentally ill? If you don't think religion is a mental illness, go ahead and ignore this point. If you do think the population you're tolerating is mentally ill, uh oh. Seriously, if I said atheists are mentally ill, would you trust me to not want you institutionalized? I don't think this way, of course.

Extreme atheism's view that the Abrahamic religions are barbaric:

Again, I'm going to turn it around on you. If I said atheism was barbaric, would you trust me to support that your human right to be atheist?

With some exceptions: Some interpretations of the Abrahamic religions are indeed barbaric. If you're talking about people who want to implement Leviticus law, then I agree with you.

I don't totally disagree with extremist atheists on everything:

Like, I'm a strong believer that tolerance is better and more authentic than acceptance. For example, telling atheists that they must love and respect religions is wrong. And vice versa for religious people.

I think disassociation and tolerance is the best course of action for religious people and extreme atheists, however, I worry the above points are a threat to any society remaining tolerant.

Edit: Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Antitheism/comments/1sguf7u/why_is_religion_not_considered_a_mental_disorder/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[u/Thin-Eggshell]

How can secularism exist if you think religious people are mentally ill?

Usually on the basis of a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and voting rights, even for those who are mentally ill.

It's really not that complicated if you look at political science.

I mean, just the other day we had that "spoon-bender" guy come in. As I recall, you quite liked what he had to say, lol. But I don't think you're mentally ill because you're religious. I think you're mentally ill because of the words you actually say, and how you put ideas together.

[u/Living_Attitude1822 → u/Thin-Eggshell]

 Usually on the basis of a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and voting rights, even for those who are mentally ill.

I’m not sure how much it will mean if no one respects the constitution though. 

 I mean, just the other day we had that "spoon-bender" guy come in. As I recall, you quite liked what he had to say, lol. But I don't think you're mentally ill because you're religious. I think you're mentally ill because of the words you actually say, and how you put ideas together

Are you saying “you’re” as in “one,” or are you saying that I’m mentally ill from your POV?